Electroplating apparatus.



M. REID.

ELEGTROPLATING APPARATUS. l I

APPLIGATI'ON FILED FEB. 19, 1906.

Patented Jan. 10, 1911.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

mwmlm I I ,l LMIELML www M. REID. ELBOTROPLATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION .FILED FEB.19, 1906.

Patented Jan. 10, 1911.

4 SHEETSSHEET 2.

| I IIIA..

A Harney/5 y M. REID. ELECTROPLATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.19, 1906.

Patented Jan. 10, 1911.

4 SHEETS-SHEETS.

M. REID.

Patented Jan. 10, 1911.

4 SHEETS-.SHEET 4.

[22 2/5 maf,

15ml/M4 BLBGVTROPLATING APPARA'IUS.`

APPLICATION FILED FEVE. 19, 1906.

UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MARCELEUS REID, or CLEVELAND, oHIo.

ELECTROILATING APPARATUS.

and useful Improvement in Electroplating Apparatus,of which thefollowing is a full', clear, and eXact description, reference beingv hadto the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to electro-platin apparat-us generally, and moreparticular y to` v through the tank; and Fig. 4 represents al andsimplify the construction an apparatus of this kind wherein the articlesto be plated are subjected to a tumbling action during the platingoperation.

The objects ofy my invention are to increase the rapidity of plating, toimprove of the apparatus, and to lessen the cost of production thereof.

Generally speaking, defined as consistin elements embodied nexed. -Y

In the drawings forming a-.part hereof Figure 1 represents an elevationof an apparatus constructed in accordance with my invention, some of theparts being broken away to illustrate more clearly the manner ofsupporting' the shaft which rotates'the tank and the accessoriesthereof; Fig. 2 represents an eleva-tion, at 'right angles to Fig. 1,the tank and basket anda portion the invention may be of the'combinations of 1n the claims hereto anof the worm wheel' being brokenaway for.-

clearness of illustration, the tank being shown' in an inclinedposition;,Fig.-'3 represents an enlarged ongitudinal ksection plan viewof said tank.

The apparatus consists generally of the tank 1 and a supporting frame 2therefor. The complete tank, when ready for plating purposes consists ofan outer casing orreceptacle and an inner receptacle or basket 4 withinwhich the articles to be plated are placed, thev basket being removablyfitted within the outer casing. The outer receptacle or tank has itsinner surface composed of material which will not be decomposed by theelectrolyte and is preferably constructed of wooden staves to whichthere are applied the hoops 5. The body of the tank is ustoconical inshape, having its largest diameter at the bottom andtapering inwardlytoward the top, whereby 'a somewhat contracted mouth 6 is provided'. Thebottom is provided with a central opening for the reception ofSpecification of Letters Patent. Patented Jan. 10, 1911. Application ledFebruary 19, 1906. Serial No.

the hub y7 which is preferably a casting and projects inwardly throughsaidV bottom from the ring 8. ,Attached to this ring preferably by beingbolted thereto, as shown in Fig. 1, is a bevel gear 9, by means of whichthe tank is rotated to tumble the articles placed therein.

l0 designates a shaft which is rigidly secured to the hub 7 by means ofone or more pins 11. This shaft projects downwardly a considerabledistance from the tank, being journaled in an elongated bearing 12,which will be described more particularly hereinafter. The shaft 10 isprovidedwlth a central bore -13 for the reception of a rod 14:, whichmay be of copper or other suitable conductin through tlie said shaft andhaving its upper end threaded to engage the corresponding threadedinterior of a stud 15, which is also of copper or similar` conductingmaterial.

to fit closely around'the stud.

To prevent the electrolyte from obtaining access to the stud. and toexpose both the top and the bottom surfaces of said plates to the actionof the electrolyte, I space said plates by means of washers 16B, saidwashers being of fiber, hard rubber, or other suitable material whichwill not be decomposed by the electrolyte and fitting closely around thestud. The upper end portion of the stud is threaded at 17. To clamp theplates firmly together, thereby preventing the electrolyte from passingbetween the plates and the washers, and to'protect the upper end of thestud from the electrolyte, I employ a nut 18 which is threaded onto theend 17, .said nut material, said rod-projecting having adepending rim 19which engages.

the uppermostplate, and I cover said nut with a cap of hard rubber orsimilar material. The upperend of the nut may be reduced, as shown at9.0, and may be provided with an external thread to increase theadherence of the cap thereto. The lower portion of the cap projectsdownwardly into contact with the uppermost plate of the anode, therebypreventing the access of the electrolvte to the studv and nut.

y To protect the hub 7 and shaft 10 from the electrolyte, I provide adome 21 of hard rubber. wood fiber, or similar material, said domehaving an upwardly directed central portion 22 provided with va cap 23which ex*V .mit the rod 14 topass therethrough. The

lower .end of dome 21 is flanged and the flange is secured, as byscrews, to a disk 21a which centers the dome and covers a considerablearea of the bottom of the tank. This disk is preferably of wood, as thismaterial is cheap and is not attacked by the electrolyte. One of thewashers 16a is applied to the stud, between the lowermostanode plate andthe top of the cap 23. A sleeve or tube 24 of non-'conducting materialis employed between the rod 14 arid shaft 10 to prevent short circuitingof-the current.-

The anode plates 16 are made of pure rolled metal, as distinguished fromcast metal, and are superior to anodes made of cast metal, owing to thegreat uniformity and density of the rolled sheet, permitting uniformdecomposition thereof from theperiphery to the center, although theelect-rolytic action occurs on the faces of the plates as well. Theplates are shown somewhat thick, for clearness of illustration, but areactually made very thin, thereby affording a maximum surface fordecomposition from a given weight of anode metal.

The bearing 12 is economically formed as part of a casting whichcontains bearings for the shafts which rotate and tilt the tank. Thefirst-mentioned bearing is provided with an internal chamber 25 (shownin dotted lines in Fig. l) for the accommodation of one or more layersof felt (indicated at 25a) appliedto the shaft and serving to supply anddistribute oil to the same, an oil opening 26 being provided'throu hwhich oil v may be introduced into such c amber. The

lower end ofthe shaft 10 extends through the bearing 12 and iscontracted, as shown at 27, for the reception of a short sleeve 28,'

which may be slipped over said shaft and secured thereto, asby a pin 29.30 designates a sleeve which is threaded onto the lower end of the rod14 and is provided with a flange 31 at its upper portion, said flangeforming a stop and bearing for the upper end of a terminal sleeve 32,said sleeve 32 being provided with a lug 33 having an aperture 34therein for the application of the electrical conductor or cable 35.Between the flange 3l and the lower end of the shaft 10 there is fitteda washer 36 of fiber or similar non-conducting material. The sleeve 30,fiange31, and terminal sleeve 32 are held in place by means of a jam nut37, which is preferably a crown nut, said nut being prevented fromunscrewing by means of a pin 38 extending through the rod 14 and passingbetween oppositely located teeth .on said nut.

While the hub 7 and ring 8 may be formed integral with the bevelgear 9,for convenienvce and cheapness of construction I prefer to make saidgear separate from the ring and hub and to bolt it thereto, as shown inFig. 1. The disk 21 is of such extent 'as to cover the heads of thebolts 39 by which the ring Sis secured to the bottom of the tank, toprevent short-circuiting, the upper surface of the tank bottom beingrecessed for the reception of the heads of the bolts.

` The basket 4,' in which are placed the articles to be plated, is ofcylindrical shape, is preferably removably' fitted in the tank, and isconstructed as follows :-40 designates a -ring which is provided abovethe bottom thereof with an inwardly directed flange '41. This ring ismade of brass or similar material, which is capableof withstanding theaction of the electrolyte. `A ring 42 of similar material is providedfor the upper end of the basket, said ring having an inwardly directedflange 43 at the top thereof. Staves 44 extend between said rin s, saidstaves having their upper ends a utting against the flange 43 and theirlower ends abutting against the Hange 41. The staves are secured in.place by means of screws 45. The basket is preferably c lindrical inshape, the outside diameter o the ring 42 being'just enough smallerthanthe internal diameter of the top of the tank to Jermit of its readyinsertion into and with rawal from said tank. Near the bottom `of thetank I rovide a suitable number of ribs 46 of wo or similar materialprojecting inwardly from the inner surface of the tank, the'amount ofprojection of such ribs bein suicient to permit the ready insertion anremoval of the basket while centering it with respect to the tank. Theflange 4l projects inwardly a sutlicient distance to provide a supportfor the bottom 47 of the asket, and the ring projects downwardly beyondthe flange to provlde a spacing ring or flange 48 between the bottom ofthe basket andthe bottom of the tank. The basket bottom is provided withperforations 49, a suiicient number of which are shown to indicate theuniformly-perforated character ofthe bottom. These perforations, withthe spaces 50 between the .staves 44,

permit free access of the electrolyte tothe,

interior of the basket. The basket bottom is formed of `wood or similarmaterial which is not decomposed by the electrolyte.. At its center, thebottom 47 is provided with an opening 51, preferably circular and of adiameter suiciently greater than that of the anode plate to permit thebasket to be inserted into and removed from the tank Without en agingsaid plates. To protect the anodev from injury by the articles that arebeing plated, I provide a dome-shaped cage 52, the internal diameter ofwhich is preferably the same as the diameter of the opening 51. Thiscage is provided with an of the basket body,

outwardly extending flange 53 by means of which it is convenientlyfastened to the bottom 47, as by screws 54, and is provided with asufficient number of erforations 55 to permit substantially free ow ofthe velectrolyte therethrough. In Fig. 3, I Ahave shown a sufficientnumber of these perforations to illustrate t-he uniformly-perforatedcharacter of the dome. The bottom flange 53 is backed by a/ring 53aAwhichis fitted outside said flange, closely thereagainst, said ringbeing secured to the bottom of the basket and being preferably of lwood,for cheapness of production.v

56 designates the cathode terminal. In the embodiment of my inventiondisclosed herein,-this cathode terminal consists of a strip of metal, ascopper, securedto the.

lower portion of the basket, to the inside of the wall or casingthereof, and is formed of a spiral extending from the bottom somewhatabove the top'of the anode. To permit of its ready removal-from t'h/etank, the basket is provided with a bail 57 having its opposite endssecured*4 to the upper portion as by means of bolts 58 extending throughsaid ends and the ring 12. This bail forms part of the circuit betweenthe cathode terminal andthe source of electrical energy. The lower endsof the bail are in electrical contact with the cathode terminal, as bymeans of plates or strips 59, which may be conveniently lsecured to theends of the bail by the bolts 58, being fastened to the cathode terminalas by'rivets 60. At its central portion, vided with a-bore 61 for themetallic pin 62, the lower end of which is split to revent displacement.This pin is provided with a flange 63 engaging the top of the bail andwith a body or barrel 64 above said flange for the reception of theterminal sleev 65.- struction to the sleeve 32 hereinbefore described.Above ,the body 64 the pin 62 is provided witha reduced extension 66 forthe application of the handle 67 Aof Wood or similar non-conductingmaterial, said handle being conveniently secured in place by means of ascrew 68. -Between said handle and sleeve 65 there is interposed awasher 69.

The construction of the anode hereinbefore described is particularlyeffective, as it provides, within a minimum space, a maximum surfacefrom which decomposition may proceed. The arrangement of the anodeplates, with the cathode terminal surrounding` and in substantially thesame plane as the plates, permits decomposition to proceed radially fromthe anode in all directions toward the cathode terminal, therebysubjecting the articles to be plated at all times to the effect of thisdecomposition and insuring the speedy application of the coatingthereto. Even with thejrecepthe bail is pro" This sleeve is similar inconthereof a bevel gear 72A for engaging theI bevel gear9 carried lbythe bottom of the tank. -The shaft 71 is provided with the pulley 78,which is loose thereon, but which may 'be engaged therewith by a verysimple form of clutch. The end of the `shaft is provided with alongitudinal slot or key- Way 71a and has pinne-d thereto a collar 71D,

.which is provided at its inner end with a slot 71c for the reception ofa lug or spline 745t of a sliding key 74. Short slots 73a are providedat diametrically oppositepoints of the outer end of the pulley hub.- Bypushing the key 74 inwardly, the lug or spline 74a will enter one or theother of the slots 73a, according to the .position of the shaft and ofthe sleeve 71b and thusclutch the pulley to the shaft 71. When it isdesired to stop the tumbling operation, it is only necessary to withdrawthe key 74, whereupon the pulley will be'disconnected from and turn idlyupon the shaft 71.

As stated hereinbefore,- the bearing 12 is part of a casting andhasprojecting lat# erally therefrom the wings or brackets 75v and 76, eachWing or bracket comprising a web having at its upperand lower edge a ribmerging with the bearin 7 5 has cast therewith a hub end 78 of the shaft79. The inner portion 78 of this shaftis secured to the hub 77, as bypins 80, andl the outer end of said shaft is provided with a worm wheel81 which is keyed thereto, as shown in Fig. 1. The wing 76 is providedwith a hub 82 similar to the hub 77 but, as the shaft 71 is employedonly to rotate the barrel and does not have to withstand the strainproduced by tilting the barrel, it is made of smaller diameter thanshaft 7 9. For cheapness of construction, however, I make the hubs 7712. The wingl 7 for the inner` and 82 of the. same internal diameter andprovide the shaft 71 with a surrounding sleeve 83, which itself servesas a bearing for the shaft, being pinned to the liournal .82, as shownat 84. The outer ends of shafts 71 and 79 aresupported in bearings 85and 86 respectively, carried by opposite sides of the frame 2. Thisframe is constructedespeeially with a view of obtaining the 'maximumamount of strength with a mini mum amount of material as well as with amlnimum amount of machme work, thereby producing a very cheapandeffectivc cohstruction. The frame is made of a single casting andconsists of an arch 87 (see Figs.

v 1 and 2) extending the full length of the wardly from .each end of thearch is a I A shaft, said nut havin bracket, said bracket comprising aplate 90 which tapers upwardly from the side flanges to the upper endthereof.

91 designates a rib or plate extending `continuously from side 'to sideof the frame and presenting a concave face upwardly, said rib or platebeing substantially semi# circular in outline.

92 designates a web extending between the rib 91 and the arch 87 andplates 90. The bearings 85 and 86 are formed with and carried by the uper ends of the side brackets consisting o the rib 91, plates '90 andlconnecting web 92. Theinternal diameter of the bearings 85 and 86 is thesame as that of the bearings 77 and 82, the sleeve 83 which surroundsthe shaft 7l being'extended through the bearing 85. The hubs 77 and 82and the bearings 85 and 86 are each chambered out for cheapness ofproduction, the recesses in the bearings 85 and 86 providing oilchambers.

Itwill be ap arent that the frame herein described, whi e extremelycheap of construction, possess /the requisite strength, with a minimumamount of material, to support the tank and to withstand the strains towhich it may be subjected.

Below the Worm wheel l81, the appropriate plate 90 has bolted thereto acastmg 93, said castin being provided with bearings 94 and 95 orsupporting the shaft 96 which carries a worm 97 preferably pinnedthereto. 98 designates the operating wheel for said worm, said wheelbeing connected to the worm shaft by means of a sleeve 99, which may besecured thereto by' a key 99a, the sleeve being slipped in place. Anoperating handle 100 is provided for said wheel. The wheel isconveniently secured in place on the shaft by means of a washer 101 anda nut 102 threaded onto the outer end of said its outer end corrugatedto provide an e ective grip. The jar of the tumbling combined with theleverage thrown onto the worm by the inclination` and weight of the tankand its contents may cause the same to rotate, thereby allowing thetankvto assume too great an angle, spillmg the solution and producingother undesirable effects. The provision of the key 99aL and the washer101 and nut 102 permits Y the worm shaft to be locked, by tightening4the nut, against such rotation by the tumbling operation.

It will be understood that the interior of 'esipo i' the tank, thebasket, ca e, and various other parts which are expose to the actionofthe electrolyte need not be made of the particular materials set forthherein, as any material which will withstand the action of theelectrolyte and will not be coated by the metal of which the anode iscomposed will answer the purpose. For cheapness ofproduction, I may makethe cage of wicker work, as indicated at 52a in Figs. 2 and The materialof which the cage is made 1n this case is preferably willow, theinterstices 55 between the withes permitting the flow of the electrolytethrough the cage.

The materials specified are those preferred by me as best combiningcheapness and efciency.

While, by the details of construction herein set forth, I have describeda particularly effective and economical embodiment of my invention, I donot propose to be limited to such details except as the same may bepositively included inl the claims hereto annexed or may be renderednecessary by the prior state of the art. v

I-Iaving thus described my invention what I; claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is 1. In an electroeplating apparatus, thecombination of a tank, a centrally arranged anode, a cage surroundingsaid anode, and a cathode terminal surrounding said anode and extendingfrom the lower portion of the tank to at least the same height as theanode, substantially Aas specified. I

2. In an electro-plating apparatus, the combination of an exterior tank,an openwork casing or basket in said tank, a centrally arranged anodeprojecting into the lower portion of said basket and a cathode terminalconsisting of a metallic strip extending continuously around the side ofthe basket and secured thereto, substantially as specified.

8. In an electro-plating apparatus, the combination of an exterior tank,an openwork receptacle or basket in said tank,y a centrally arrangedanode projecting into the lower portion of the basket, a cathodeterminal consisting Vof a metal vstrip formed into a spiral and securedto the inner wall of said basket, a metallic bail for saidbaskct, andelectrical connections between said bail and said cathode terminal,substantially as specified. ,i

4. In an electro-plating apparatus, the combination of a tank, anopen-work casing or basket within said tank, an anode for the lowercentral portion of said basket, a'cathode terminal surroundin said anodeand carried by the side wall o the basket, a metallic bail for saidbasket, and an electrical connection between said bail and cathodeterminal, substantially as specified.

5. In an electro-plating apparatus, the

combination of a tank, an anode 1 therein,

said anode consisting of a cent-ral conducting A Y combination of atank, an anode within said tank, said anode comprising a metallic stud,a series of anode lates mounted on said stud, washers of fiber orsimilarmaterial between said plates, means for protecting the portions of thestud which project be-l yond the plates from the action of theelectrolyte, and a cat-hode terminal also locatedin said tank,substantially as specified.

8. An anode for an electro-plating appa ratus comprising a stud ofconductive material, a series of anode plates mounted on said stud,non-conducting washers 4interposed between said plates and surroundingsaid stud, one end of said stud projecting beyond the plate adjacentthereto and provided with a screw thread, a nut threaded onto such endof said stud, and a protecting cap of non-conducting material coveringsaid stud and extending to the adjacent plate, substantially asspecified.

9. An anode for an electro-plating apparatus comprising a stud ofconductive material, a series of anode plates or disks mounted on saidstud, non-conducting washers interposed between said plates .andsurrounding said stud, and a clamp for securing said plates on saidstud, said clam being provided with an outer surface ofp material whichis capable of withstanding the action of the electrolyte, `substantiallyas specified. b Y

' 10i An anode for anelectro-plating apparatus comprising a stud ofconducting ma terial, a series of spaced plates on'said stud, the planesof said plates being at substantially right angles to the length of saidstud, means for protecting the portions of the stud intermediate of saidplates fromv electrolytic decomposition, and a clamp for retaining saidplates on said stud, saidclamp being provided with an exterior surfacecapable of withstanding the action of the electrolyte, substantially asspecified.

- 11. In an electro-plating apparatus, the

combination of a tank, of a removable basket therein, said basket havinga` centrally located cage project-ing from the bottom thereof, and a.perforated bottom exterior to'said cage, a cathode terminal ywithinsaid plates on said stud,

basket and lsecured totheinner wall thereof,

and an anode projecting centrally from the lower portion of the tank andadapted to be inserted into said cage, means beingprovided for spacingthe'bottom of the basket from the bottom of the tank, substantially asspecified.

12. In an electro-plating apparatus, the combination cfa tank, a basketwithin said tank having its bottoni and side walls spaced from thebottom and""`sidewall of said tank,

said basket comprising acntfallyarranged cage projectin upwardly fromthe bottom.

g of the basket outside thereof, the bottom said cage being perforated,an anode carried by the tank land projecting into said cage, and avcathode terminal for said anode, subst-antially as specified.

13. In an electro-plating apparatus, the' combination of a tank, a.basket removably fitted in said tank and having its bottom and sideWall spaced from the corresponding parts of the tank, said basket beingperforated to permit access of the electrolyte thereto, an anode, and acathode vterminal within said basket, a bail for said basketelectrically connected with one of the electrodes and an electricterminal carried by said bail, substantially as specified. l,

14. In an electro-plating apparatus, the combination of-a tank having aclosed bottom, a tapering side Wall and a contracted mouth,asubstantially cylindrical basket removably fitted in said tank, saidbasket being perforated for the access of the electrolyte thereto, thediameter of the top Vof said basketbeing substantially equalto theinternal diameter of the mouth of the tank, and means for centering andspacing the lower portionv of said basket with respect to thecorresponding inner portion of the tank, substantially as specified.

15. Abasket for an electro-plating apparatus comprising top and bottomrings, the bottom ring having an inwardly extending flange, -stavesextending between said rings, and a perforated bottom supported by, theflange on the bottom ring, substantially as specified.

16: In an electro-plating apparatus,y the combination of a tank having acentrally arl ranged anode in the lower portion thereof, and a basketfor said tank, ing a bottom provided with anV upwardly extendingcentral-ly located cage for the reception of said anode, a cathodeterminal carried by the side Wall of said basket, perforations Abeinfgthe passage o the electrolyte therethrough, substantially as specified.t

17. In an. electro-plating apparat-us, the

ranged :anode in the lower part thereof, a basket within said tankvhaving a perforated bottomv :spaced from the bottom of the tank saidbasket hav-A sii provided in .said basket forcombination of a tankhavinga centrally ar l and provided with a central upwardly extendingcage for the reception of the anode, and a cathode terminal carried bythe innerwall of said basket, substantially as specified. j

18. In an electro-plating apparatus, the combination of a tank having acentrally arranged electrode in the lower portion thereof, a perforatedbasket within said tank providedwith acentral upwardly extending cagefor the reception of said electrode, and

a second electrode carried by the side Wall of said basket,substantially as specified.

19. In an electro-plating apparatus, the combination of a tank having anelectrode therein, means for rotating said tank, a ter.

a terminal sleeved to a""portion of said basket, substantially asspecified.

21. In an electro-plating apparatus,4 the combination of a tank havingtherein an electrode, means for rotating said tank, a shaft projectingfrom said tank, a terminal sleeved on said shaft,'a basket within saidtank, said basket being provided with the other electrode, a bail forsaid basket, an

electrical connection between said bail and the electrode in saidbasket, and a terminal leeved on said bail, substantially as specied.

'22. In an electro-plating apparatus, the combination of a tank,a driveshaft for rotating said tank, and a frame for supporting said tank, saidframe comprising a casting having a longitudinally extending arched'base and a bracket projecting upwardly from each end of the archedbase, said bracket being provided with a bearing for the drive shaft,substantially as specified.

23. In an electro-plating apparatus, the combination of a tank, a drivenmember 0nsaid tank for rotating the same, a drive shafthaving a drivingmember thereon for engaging said driven member, and a sup- Y portingframe for said tank, said frame comprising a base having alongitudinallyextending arch, said arch being provided at each. endwithan upwardly projecting bracket, said bracket having formed therewitha bearing for the driving shaft, substantially as s ecified.

24. In an e cetro-platin combination of a tank, sai tan being pro'-vided at `the lower portion thereof with a deap aratus, the

pending shaft, a bearing for said shaft, said bearing being providedwith lateral Webs each having thereon a substantially horizontalbearing, a driven member for rotatin said tank, a drive shaft havingthereon a driving member for said driven member, said shaft projectingthrough and supporting one of the aforesaid horizontal bearings, and ashaft for varying the inclination of said tank, said shaft projectingthrough and supporting the other horizontal bearing,

substantially as specied.

25. In an electro-plating apparatus, the combination of a tank, saidtank having projecting from the bottom thereof a shaft, a

frame having therein three bearings a centralbearing for the receptionof sai shaft, and a pair of lateral bearings at substantially rightangles to said central bearing, a driven member for rotating said tank,a shaft having a driving member for said driven member, said shaftextending through one ofthe lateral bearings, and a shaft for varyingthe inclination of said tank, said shaft extending through the otherlateral bearing, substantially as specified.

26. In an electro-plating apparatus, the combination of a tank, saidtank having a downwardly extending shaft, a bearing for said shaft, ashaft for rotating said tank, a shaft for varying the inclination ofsaid tank, and a frame provided with bearings ,for the last4 mentionedshafts, said frame comprising a base portion and a pair of versaid baseort-ion, each of said brackets being provi ed with a' bearing for an oerating shaft, the upper portion of said rame being concaved to permitthe passage of the shaft de ending from the tank, substantially as specied.

27. In an electro-plating. apparatus, the

`combination of a tank, said tank having a shaft de ending therefrom, abearing for said sha t, a shaft for rotating said tank, a shaft forvarying the inclination of said tank, and a supporting frame for saidtank, said frame comprising an arch provided with vertically extendingbrackets, said tically extending brackets projecting from brackets beingconnected by a transverse i web which is concaved to permit the passageof the shaft depending from the tank, each of said brackets beingprovided with a bearing for one of said operating shafts, substantiallyas specified.

2S. In an electro-plating apparatus, the combination of a tank, a shaftdepending therefrom, a bearing for said shaft, an operating shaft forrotating said tank, a second operating shaft for varying theinclinationthereof, and a frame, for su orting the tank and the ,operating shafts,sai .frame -comprising a casting the lower portion of which is archedand is provided at each end thereof with a vertically extending bracket,

said brackets comprising each an external lateral plate and an internalrib extending continuously from bracket to bracket and a web connecting'said rib with the exterior plates and arch, said rib being cnvedft-opermit the passage of the depending shaft, and a bearing, integral withthe upper end -of each of said brackets, for the support of one of saidoperating shafts, substantially as specified.

29. In an electro-plating apparatus, the combination -of a tank, a shaftdepending therefrom, a bearing for said shaft, an operating shaft forrotating said tank, a secondv bearing, integral with theupper end ofeach' of said brackets, for the support of lone of the aforesaidoperating shafts, substantially as specified. ,1

30. In an electro-plating apparatus, the combination ofl a`tank havingacentrally arranged depending shaft, an operating shaft for rotating saidtank, lan operating shaft for tilting said tank, the latter shaft beingof greater diameter than the former, a supporting frame for said tankand shafts, said frame comprising a base Iand. upwardly eX- tendingbrackets, each bracket having cast therein va bearing for an bperatingshaft,l said bearings being ofthe Asame internall diameter, and a sleevesurrounding the first# mentioned operating lshaft and connected to itsbearingl to-.till the space between said shaft and the interior `of saidbearing, substantially as specified.

31. In an electro-plating apparatus, the combination of a tank and asupporting frame therefor, said frame consisting of an integralcastingcomprising an arched base, a plate projecting upwardly from the base Iatea'chend thereof, an Ainternal concave Jplate' or rib extendingcontinuously from side to side of the frame, aweb-con'nectin said rib orplatewith the outer plates an Q with the base, and a bearing yfor the`tank v,

' ,carried by and integral with the'upper end of each of said brackets,substantially as specified.

32. In -an electro-plating apparatus,"the

combination of an exterior tank, a casing orbasket surrounded by saidtank, a centrally arranged anode projecting into the said basket, and acathodeterininal surrounding said anode, substantially as specified.

i' 33. In an electro-plating apparatus, the combination 'ofa tank, acasing or basket in s'aid tank, a centrally arranged electrode ametallic strip' extending around the side stantially as'speciied.

combination of an exterior tank, a casing or electrode projecting intothe lower portion and secured-to the side wall of said basket,substantially as specified. c

35. Ii an electroplating apparatus, the

tank or receptacle, means for adjusting the inclination of, said tank orreceptacle, and means for securing the adjusting means displacement ofthe tank or receptacle during its rotation, substantially as specified.

combination of a tank or receptacle,`means for rotating tlie same, ashaft for adjusting the inclination of said tank or receptacle, a wormwheel on said shaft, a worm shaft having thereon a worin for operatingsaid wheel, and means for clamping the vworm shaft against rotation,substantially as specified.

37. In an electro-plating apparatus, the combination of a tank orreceptacle, means for varyingthe inclination of -'said tank orreceptacle, a worin wheel on said shaft, a

rigid with said shaft and intermediate said bearings, an operating wheelhaving a'sleeve slidingly fitted on the outer portion :ofsaid shaft,land means, as a nut, for adjusting against one of the bearings andprevent rotation of the worm shaft,substantial1y as specified.

work receptacle or, basket in saidftanfln va centrally arranged electrode proj ectinginto the, lower `portion ufl-fthe basket, a :secondelectrode consisting of afmetal strip formed of saidbasket, vai metallicbail for said bassubstantially as specified'. 4

` 39. In -an electroplating apparatus, the combination of a tank, anelectrode therein, said electrode consisting of ,l a conducting i studin the lower portion of said tank,'a seanda secondelectiode within'said` tank, substantially as specified.

of the basket, and a second elect-rode consist-l ing of a metallic stripformed into a spiral 1 combination of a tank or receptacle forthearticles to be plated, means for rotating said i 36. In anelectro-plating -apparatus,-v the for rotating said tank or receptacle,a. shaft said sleeve on said shaft to' bindthe worm'l :into aspiralandse'cured to thejinner wall 1120 j 'ket,.an d electrieconnectionsbetween said 4 Y bail and the electrode carried by the-basket,

ries of spaced electrodes placed on said stud,

projecting into the lower. portionof said ""fbasket, and a secondelectrode consisting of wall ofthe basket 'and secured. there-to, sub-l84. In an electro-plating apparatus, the

-76 vbasket in said tank, a centrally arranged against displacement to.prevent the vertical i worm shaft, bearings for saidshaft, a worm Q 38.In an lfelectroplating apparatus, the combinationof an exterior tank,`anopen- 'ian 40. In an electroplating apparatus, the combination of atank, an electrode in said tank, said electrode comprising a metallicstud, a series of electrode plates mounted on said stud, washers offiber or similar non.-

conducting material between said plates,

means for protecting the portion of the studv stantially -as specified.

42. In an electroplating apparatus, the combinationvof a tank, a basketwithin said tank having its bottom and side walls spaced from the bottomand side walls of said tank, said basket comprising a centrally arrangedcage projecting upwardly from the bottom thereof, an electrode carriedby the tank and projecting into said page, and a second electrodeAwithin said tank, substantially as specified.

43. In an electroplating apparatus, the

combination of a tank having a closed botlso located'in said tank,substantially tom, a tapering sidewall anda contracted mouth, asubstantiallycylindrical basket removably fitted in said tank, 'saidbasket besecond electrode carried by the side wall of the basket,substantially as specied.

44. In an electroplating apparatus, the combination of a tank, a basketin said tank, a centrally arranged anode projecting into the lowerportion of said basket, and a cath# ode terminal carried by said basketand extending around the side of the'same, substantially as specified.

45. In an electroplating apparatus, the combination of a tank, a 'basketin said tank,

a centrally arrangedanode projecting into 35 the lower portion of thebasket, and a cathode terminal formed into a s iral and secured to theinner wall of said) basket, substantially as specified. a

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in the presence of twowitnesses.

MARoELLUs REID.

Witnesses:

B. W. Bnooimrr, 4 J. B. I-I'ULL.

